Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 38, Issue 1, 2006

Variations in associations of health risk behaviors among ethnic minority early adolescents (Article)

Viner R.M.* , Haines M.M. , Head J.A. , Bhui K. , Taylor S. , Stansfeld S.A. , Hillier S. , Booy R.
  • a Department of Paediatrics, Royal Free and University College London Medical School, University College, London, United Kingdom, Adolescent Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Middlesex Hospital, Mortimer Street, London W1T 3AA, United Kingdom
  • b Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, United Kingdom
  • c Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, United Kingdom, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, Royal Free Medical School, London, United Kingdom
  • d Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, United Kingdom
  • e Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, United Kingdom
  • f Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, United Kingdom
  • g Department of Human Science and Medical Ethics, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, United Kingdom
  • h Department of Child Health, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate patterns of vulnerability and protection factors associated with risk behaviors and the co-occurrence of risk behaviors in minority ethnicity early adolescents. Methods: Analysis of data from the Research with East London Adolescents Community Health Survey (RELACHS), a school-based study of a representative sample of 2789 adolescents age 11-14 in 2001 (sample 73% non-Caucasian, 21% born outside the United Kingdom). Questionnaire data were obtained on sociodemographic variables, ethnicity, smoking, drinking, drug use, psychological well-being, physical health, and social support from family and peers. Models of associations for each behavior and co-occurrence of risk behaviors (defined as engaging in < 2 behaviors) were developed by hierarchical stepwise logistic regression. Results: Two hundred ninety-two (10.9%) reported 1 risk behavior, 84 (3.1%) reported 2, and 25 (0.9%) reported 3 behaviors. In multivariate models, psychological morbidity was associated with higher risk of all behaviors and co-occurrence, while higher family support was associated with lower risk in all models. Non-Caucasian ethnicity was associated with lower risk of regular smoking and co-occurrence but not drinking or drugs. Birth outside the United Kingdom was associated with lower risk for individual behaviors but not co-occurrence. Religion and religious observance were associated with lower risk of smoking and drinking but not drug use or co-occurrence. Peer connectedness was associated with drug use, but with increased risk. Socioeconomic status was associated only with smoking. Conclusions: Patterns of associations of personal, family, and environmental factors appear to differ between smoking, drinking, lifetime drug use, and the co-occurrence of these behaviors. Hypotheses regarding common factors related to health risk behaviors may be misleading in ethnic minorities and immigrants. Co-occurrence may represent a distinct behavioral domain of risk that is partly culturally determined. © 2006 Society for Adolescent Medicine. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Health risk behaviors Mental health Alcohol Ethnicity Drug use Acculturation smoking Co-occurrence of health risk behaviors

Index Keywords

logistic regression analysis demography minority group human Health Behavior protection priority journal morbidity drinking social support ethnology religion adolescent health health psychological well being school child social status family smoking Adolescent male environmental factor female questionnaire school peer group Article United Kingdom data analysis drug use research risk reduction health hazard public health health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-29544452746&doi=10.1016%2fj.jadohealth.2004.09.017&partnerID=40&md5=37b45153230a1ccf76f9b8b1d706d550
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.09.017
ISSN: 1054139X
Cited by: 37
Original Language: English